A brand new fruit - the mandarinquat

January 19, 2005 in In Season & Other Fresh Foods

With the endless variety of fruit that greets us at our local supermarket produce section it's hard to believe that there could be anything new. But Mother Nature, with a little human help, isn't done surprising us yet. Welcome the mandarinquat, a small citrus hybrid that is a cross between a mandarin orange and a kumquat. Each mandarinquat that you bother to squeeze will give you a generous tablespoon of lip-puckering tart juice.

It is a good substitute for Seville or sour oranges in dishes like duck a l'orange. The skin is where you find the tender sweetness of the kumquat. To release it, simmer strips of the peel in sugar syrup. If you're feeling creative, use it to garnish roast meats including the duck. Look for them at specialty foods stores and high-end markets. Visit Frieda's Specialty Produce at http://www.friedas.com or Melissa's World Variety Produce at http://www.melissas.com for more exotic and unusual fruit selections.

All research on this web site is the property of Leslie Beck and is protected by copyright. Keep in mind that research on these matters continues daily and is subject to change. The information presented is not intended as a substitute for medical treatment. It is intended to provide ongoing support of your healthy lifestyle practices.

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